Reviews:
TeraTalks By Tera Thomas O'Brien
Mac360 By Ron McElfresh
Mac360 - By Natalia Nowak
TechUniverse (interview and review)
Macworld July 29, 2025 (4 mice)
John's interview on Inside Mac Radio
Plethora - By Mark Fuller
TidBITS - Matt Neuburg
Tera Patricks' Mac360 - By Bambi Hambi
Tera Patricks' Mac360 - By Alexis Kayhill
User Feedback:
Just wanted to say I love your software. I was without a Mac for a few years and one thing I missed a lot was having the amazingly pleasant sounds of SonicMood in my room. Regular music-which I love when I am ready for it-is too "brain-sticky" when I am trying to concentrate or relax. I can't not hear it-the words, the instruments, the voice, everything. Other types of "ambient" music are too impersonal, droning or mechanical. Yours is just perfect. I even play it low when I sleep! BTW, I am also a physicist(medical,radiation) but now I do landscape design and work with plants and people. There is something deep in the human psyche that longs for the sounds of Nature that we, in many places, have chased away with our modern noises. You have used modern technology and expert craftsmanship to bring that back to people, to sweeten their environment, and make them happier and healthier. That is wonderful.
Thanks,
Bill Petitt
Demetra Markis, L.Ac., former Executive Director of POCA (People's Organization of Community Acupuncture - www.pocacoop.com) who has her own clinic (www.yerbabuenaacupuncture.com/our-staff/) in San Francisco, wrote this about SonicMood:
"We use to play a lot of Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, Stars of the Lid, mellower Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabete.
People would often comment on how much they liked the music. Occasionally changes in the songs woke people up. There were always people who wore earplugs, headphones, or stayed awake otherwise.
Then I discovered SonicMood (http://sonicmood.com, for Macs only), which I’ve mentioned elsewhere here; but if you don’t know it, it’s a downloadable software program that mixes nature sound files (ocean waves, rain, crickets chirping, etc.) with gentle rhythmic musical sounds. It’s NOT music written to be listened to- it’s intended to help you relax. It looks like it’s on sale for $7 right now.
The change in patients was astonishing. No one ever comments on the music anymore- they simply pass out and sleep very deeply. Everyone sleeps through it. It’s amazing.
I’ll never go back to composed music in the clinic again. One of my long-time regulars is a professional musician and he was one of the ones who could never sleep through my clinic music before I switched. He commented that all musicians want their music to be heard, not slept through- even ambient composers. It’s meant to be listened to. Whereas these soundfiles stay way in the background.
We keep the volume fairly loud. The cricket tracks are especially effective at knocking people out. Seriously, it’s really a notable difference. We are in the middle of a busy urban street, with three hospitals within walking distance- there’s a fire truck screaming by at least every shift, buses stopping out front every 5-10 minutes, delivery trucks idling outside all day; and my clinic is bright and sunny. And yet everyone sleeps like a log. I really do credit the SonicMood for a big part of it.
ETA: there’s a huge variety of pre-set sound mixes- I had to go through and pick the ones that worked. Some sound cheesy to me. We have about four or five selected that each play for 1.4 hours each on constant rotation. We just hit play at the beginning of the shift and let it go. The great thing is that we never get sick of it, since we basically don’t hear it anymore. It just sits in the background."
Thanks Demetra! :)
"On another note; I absolutely LOVE your program; especially when traveling. What a wonderful thing to have in your room at night, and of course - to wake up to! Also; when reading a book where my attention really needs to be 100% focused on the material -- SonicMood has now replaced light classical every time. SonicMood is simply a remarkable application John....
All my best --
Doug" (Douglas Rae)
"Feel free to share the vimeo movies if you'd like. I think your program is just amazing! :)"
(Holly Daggers)
"Best money I think I've ever spent. Wonderful, generous, brilliant and expansive..."
- and (Facebook posting) -
"One of the perks of owning a Mac is a wonderful and inexpensive ($13) program called SonicMood. It produces gentle ambient music, using both recorded and MIDI sounds. Makes even me peaceful! Check it out and pass it on. Site is also entertaining and fascinating. If I ever got rid of all my computers, I'd keep one Mac just for this."
- Robert Goldberg (Bobbo)
"Your program is as has been stated by many reviewers obviously a labor of love. The refining touches are apparent. I am very pleased to have been able to purchase this superb piece of software. What a great idea and what a fine craftsman implementation. You have truly produced a magical software artwork which without fanfare beautifully helps make people's lives better. Every nook and cranny of this charming masterwork whispers quality, caring and programming craftsmanship. It's a pleasure to have it and use it. Best to you--Larry" (Larry Crumet)
“I bought SonicMood in less than 5 minutes after I downloaded it last night! I only had to listen to the high quality of a few of the soundfiles and instruments to realize that indeed this is the app I've been wanting for years! Until I found Sonicmood I've create my own CD's of ambient/nature sounds which play in the background at my psychotherapy clinic. It calms and relaxes everyone. Now I can spend less time finding and editing files in other apps and just spend my time creating new moods/atmospheres on the spot! I love this!!!
I LOVE THIS APP!!! Thanks so very much!
BTW... I learned about your great app from the apple.com site. I dont know how I missed it before!
All the best,
Kelly Powers
Tallahassee, Fl“
"I just downloaded the update. Excellent work--so many little improvements and fixes and I like the revised, improved look of the toolbar.
I can't tell you how good this app is---so much more useful than trying to find some selections in iTunes to work by. SonicMood never lets me down.
I also got some midi soundsets to experiment with and am having fun with them.
And yes, you did the right thing in raising the price! : )
Best,
Craig Turner
P.S.--I wonder what kind of guy can create such a soothing tool? : ) Have you always been naturally relaxed and smooth and you just wanted to spread the mood?! : )
As much as I like Pzizz and its approach, I find myself going to SonicMood more and more since it can do so much more."
"I kind of like this app. It is easy to use at the most basic level and I find the sounds really soothing when I'm trying to think at the computer...much better than music from iTunes that gets me off track. Thanks for the opportunity."
--
Steve Gandy
TeachTech Inc. - Consulting, Support, Training
[email protected]
www.TeachTechColorado.com
"I am so happy with this software! We are having construction on our home and I have my bedroom as the only room left with walls and a zen atmosphere. Sonic Mood allows me to plug my laptop into my sound system and get the heck "away" from all the noise around me. It is a godsend right now!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Keep up the amazing work & let me know if you come up with any other items as wonderful as this!"
- Jenni Civettini
"Many thanks again John, I downloaded it and it is a superb application. I use it often."
- Bob T.
"Very relaxing, reasonably priced..."
- Leonard P.
"A great aid for concentration. Adam Engst was right!"
- Jerry K.
"I purchased your software about two months ago. I find it very satisfying and soothing and leave it on during long periods when I am working at home. Thanks for all of your efforts and your constant improvements. All the best and much success."
- Tony K.
"Thanks for listening to my requests. The program is great and keeps getting better. By the way, I'm a reseller, and have shown your program to many of my clients and they all think it's fantastic."
- Gary K.
"Looking GREAT Thank You!"
- Larry D.
"John, let me give you my personal thanks for your excellent work and updates on SonicMood. I'm a stressed-out psychiatrist who uses Windoze all day long at my job at the VA. I come home and feel calmer the minute I get my Mac wakened up.
Your app is excellent, and far from a processor hog on my challenged old G3. I've recommended SonicMood to my whole user group and will continue extolling its virtues.
Thanks for the excellent idea and excellent work.
chas"
- Charles H. Kuttner, MD
- Psychiatrist, Portland OR
"SonicMood needs more cowbell!"
- J. Smith
Vintage MacUpdate & VersionTracker comments:
DOCTOR INFINITY This outstandingly beautiful creation is a true balm for the soul. It generates soothing, centering, healing soundscapes that will enhance the quality of your life. The developer must, indeed, be in touch with the Source of all Creation, for Sonic Moods is a true gift from On High. It glistens like a diamond lotus in the morning sun. While Sonic Moods has been with us for a while, if you've never come across it before consider yourself blessed, for it is a true find.
This wonderful developer is always seeking ways to make it better and better, and at the paltry sum of $10, it is priceless. I humbly bow before this very gifted soul. (Version 4.7.6)
grade A super delicious, already earned its $10 reg fee. - Version: 4.6.0, 11/24/2006 09:07PM PST
eatpeople
Thanks much, crafty coders. this is the bee's knees...really fantastic. i've just spent about an hour playing and fiddling until i got a combination really perfect for my ears - and all the presets were fantastic as they are. it took me all of about 10 minutes to decide to register. Proper respect and appreciation to you.
I Love It!
- Version: 4.6.0, 10/8/2025 07:11AM PSTjulia2
I've wanted something like this for ages, and these guys have done a very nice job. Can't wait to explore its features a bit more. Well worth $10!
Should be part of everyone's daily routine
- Version: 4.6.0, 10/7/2025 04:44PM PSTniteskyy
This is one of those rare examples of software that truly improves the quality of your life. At the end of the workday, I listen to one of the sonic cuts and feel the stress of the day subside. Fantastic product - a bargain at $10.
Utterly Outstanding!!!
- Version: 4.6.0, 10/7/2025 06:13AM PSTsyharris
An outstanding piece of work.....obviously a labor of love. Reflects great care in it's creation. An unbelievable bargain at $10. Beautiful, soothing sounds. I use it all the time for creating ambient, background soundscapes for a mellow, healing environment. A true work of art!!!
Finally a replacement for EarSaver! - Version: 4.5.0, 6/20/2006 06:34PM PST
MeV
That was bundled onto my SuperMac C900 and only runs on MacOS 9. Small files, ambient sounds, very much like SonicMood. I've only had it running for less than an hour and you got my $10. Thanks for your hard work on this!
Fascinating
- Version: 4.1.1, 6/2/2025 11:34PM PSTCentral Scrutinizer
I fired this up and spent hours tweaking all the different parameters for the music synthesis engine. It's highly configurable, and a great learning tool for music theory. I don't even care much for New Age music, but SonicMood forced me to look at it in a different light.
This app is clearly a labor of love for the developer. $10 is a steal considering the effort that went into writing SonicMood.
Unusual, useful, and very therapeutic
- Version: 4.1, 11/15/2005 07:08PM PSThk1000
I have to give this application all 5's. It serves a very useful purpose - to help you relax - and it does it well. The icing on the cake is that the developer is caring and responsive. The new feature of playing a background soundfile along with the instruments really boosts the effectiveness of the moods. It'a also highly customizable. I think no matter where you may be with your computer it can improve your environment, help you relax and even concentrate better. I recommend it highly!
